Buick Encore GX vs Toyota bZ

The 2024 Buick Encore GX was a striking model, drawing inspiration from the Wildcat concept of 2022. It featured a refreshed front with sleek daytime running lights above the grille and angular LED lamps positioned lower on either side. The new Buick logo added a modern touch, while the Avenir trim boasted a unique grille and chrome accents. The rear design remained largely unchanged from 2023, except for the addition of new LED tail lights on the top trims. The Encore GX offered a range of vibrant colors, including brilliant red, deep blue, maroon, and Copper Ice Metallic, with options for a black roof and mirrors. Inside, the relocation of HVAC vents made way for a 19-inch glass panel housing the digital gauge cluster and touchscreen, giving the interior a premium look despite some cheap-feeling plastics.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, available in XLE and Limited trims, presented a more refined appearance compared to its predecessor, the bZ4X. The restyled exterior looked better with body-color trim, especially in colors like Blueprint and Supersonic Red. Inside, the dashboard and center console were redesigned for a cleaner look, enhancing the sense of quality and organization. The XLE’s fabric seats featured an upscale pattern, and the center touchscreen was increased to 14 inches, integrating climate control with large temperature adjustment dials and buttons for defog/defrost functions. However, the digital driver display was criticized for being too far away and cluttered with information, potentially obstructed by the steering wheel.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX retained its previous engine options, offering a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. An upgrade to a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine provided 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque, along with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine delivered a responsive performance, accelerating to 60 mph in about nine seconds, though it wasn't particularly quick. The Encore GX excelled as a city car with a smooth suspension, but highway passing required patience due to a delay in downshifting. The selectable AWD system allowed for power distribution control, though competitors offered automatic systems.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered a choice between a single electric motor with a 57.7-kWh battery, delivering 165 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 74.7-kWh battery providing 224 horsepower. The dual-motor AWD version produced 338 horsepower. The bZ's range varied from 236 to 314 miles, depending on the configuration. Recharging was efficient, with a DC fast charger bringing the battery from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes. The bZ performed well in efficiency tests, averaging 4.5 miles per kWh in Eco mode. However, the lack of one-pedal driving capability and the front wheelspin issue during acceleration were noted drawbacks. The bZ was a comfortable cruiser but struggled on winding roads due to its tires and steering.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX, as a subcompact SUV, offered limited utility with a towing capacity of 1,000 pounds. It featured a hands-free liftgate and provided 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The interior included available heated seats and a heated steering wheel, though seat ventilation was absent. The top Avenir trim offered eight-way adjustable seats, while lower trims required the Comfort package for this feature. A seven-speaker Bose audio system was also available.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, built on a skateboard-style EV platform, provided 8.1 inches of ground clearance, making entry and exit easy. Both front seats featured standard height adjustment, with eight-way power adjustment available in XLE and Limited trims. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with the Limited trim offering ventilated seats. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but compensated with ample storage options, including a large bin under the center armrest and a tray beneath the console. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed generous legroom, though foot space was limited. The bZ offered 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 56.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX featured an 11-inch touchscreen paired with an 8-inch digital gauge cluster under one glass pane. While visually appealing, the screens left much unused space, creating a sense of malfunction. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with USB-A and USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and a 120-volt outlet available. The rear camera mirror provided a wider-angle view, enhancing safety. The infotainment system was simple, focusing on smartphone mirroring, climate control, settings, camera views, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came with a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The driver display was criticized for being too far away and cluttered, potentially obstructed by the steering wheel. The 14-inch display ran the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, which was generally user-friendly but lacked a home screen for simultaneous data panels. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with SiriusXM satellite radio and various connected service plans. The Drive Connect powered the native navigation system and the Intelligent Assistant, which performed well in voice command tests.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX included the Driver Confidence package with lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, a following distance indicator, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring was standard, but rear park assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera were optional. The Teen Driver feature allowed parents to monitor their child's driving habits, while the Buckle to Drive feature prevented shifting out of park without a fastened seat belt. The NHTSA awarded the Encore GX a five-star overall safety rating, though the IIHS had not yet rated the 2024 model.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist added subtle braking and steering inputs for safety. The bZ also featured blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, safe-exit assist, and parking sensors with automatic braking. The Limited trim offered Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park Assist. The IIHS rated the bZ's front-crash avoidance tech as Good, but the headlights received a Poor rating, and frontal-impact crash tests earned Acceptable ratings.